Outcome measurement tools for functional assessment of the shoulder

Abstract

The impact of shoulder injuries and treatments on patients is mostly measured during the clinical evaluation. Initially, simple questions inquire about pain, other symptoms, influence on function and treatment satisfaction. Next, a physical examination assesses the shoulder’s range of motion, strength, and stability before performing different provocative maneuvers evaluating for different pathologies. Finally, diagnostic imaging data is obtained and appraised first for injuries and deformity, and then later for signs of healing and prosthetic alignment and stability. The physician deciphers through all the clinical information to evaluate how the shoulder pathology is affecting the patient, determine treatment, and then gauge the effectiveness of their treatment on the patient.